Dhaka University unit of Chhatra Shakti staged a protest demanding the cancellation of a reported decision to withdraw the power of the Non-Government Teachers’ Registration and Certification Authority (NTRCA) to recommend teachers for appointment and hand the authority back to school and college managing committees.
The protesters said several media reports have indicated that the government is considering the move. They also claimed that a resolution cancelling NTRCA’s recruitment and recommendation authority has already been made, although it has not yet been published in the form of a government gazette.
The protest began around 8pm in front of the Dhaka University Central Library today. The protesters marched through different parts of the campus before gathering at Madhur Canteen.
At the rally, Chhatra Shakti DU unit President Tahmid Al Mudassir Chowdhury gave the government a 24-hour ultimatum to reverse the reported decision. He warned that failure to do so would lead to tougher programs, including demonstrations and a possible blockade of the Ministry of Education.
He said the introduction of teacher recruitment through NTRCA had improved the quality of recruitment while reducing what he described as recruitment trading through school managing committees.
He alleged that transferring recruitment authority back to managing committees would revive corruption and political influence in teacher appointments.
“Who will be appointed if someone without any educational qualification in a managing committee gets the authority to recruit teachers?” he asked, alleging that the main criterion could become who can pay the most money.
He further alleged that political groups have previously engaged in conflicts over control of school managing committees and claimed that recent clashes between BNP and Jamaat-linked groups over such committees had resulted in deaths. He also accused ruling-party activists of seeking to use the recruitment process to financially benefit party workers.
Tahmid warned that the move could lead to the politicization of teachers and educational institutions, saying schools and colleges could eventually be used for political activities instead of education.
Criticizing the government over electricity bills and power shortages, he said, “Tarique Rahman has taken us back to the era of 2001-2002.”
He also criticized what he described as ongoing extortion, campus violence and hall-control disputes, and demanded that such activities be stopped immediately.
Organizational Secretary Mohammad Saifullah alleged that candidates who pass NTRCA examinations could be forced to seek appointments through local political and influential figures after obtaining their certificates.
He claimed that candidates could be required to pay Tk 15-20 lakh to secure jobs and alleged that those with more money would ultimately receive appointments.
Saifullah sharply criticized the BNP-led government, describing it as a “Makal Fol”, attractive on the outside but rotten inside, and alleged that the government has plans but lacks control. He also accused the government of prioritizing the interests of party activists over students and the public.
The protesters called on the government to immediately restore NTRCA’s authority to recruit and recommend teachers. They warned that failure to withdraw the reported decision within 24 hours would result in further protests.